A man has suffered injuries after a bomb “partially exploded” in Craigavon this evening.
Police say they are “currently in attendance at a security alert in the Enniskeen area of Craigavon this evening”.
A spokesman added: “It is understood a device partially exploded. One male has been taken to hospital for treatment of injuries to their hands and chest.
“A number of homes in the area have been evacuated. There are no further details at this stage.”
It is understood Army bomb disposal experts have arrived at the scene.
Reacting to the incident, SDLP Councillor Thomas Larkham said: “Following an incident where a device appears to have partially exploded this evening, residents in the Enniskeen area of Craigavon have been evacuated to a nearby church. I understand one individual has been taken to hospital.
“The circumstances of the incident are still unclear but army technical officers are on site and police have erected a cordon for the safety of the local community.
“This is the last thing that anyone in Enniskeen wants or needs. This is a close knit community full of people trying to get on with their lives during a difficult time for us all. I want to thank the residents who have cooperated with police, reacting quickly to keep each other safe. I also want to thank the local church for opening its doors to this community.”
Doug Beattie, an Ulster Unionist MLA in the area, said he understood the device had been a pipe bomb.
He added: "There is no place in society for those who use them or force of any kind in promoting their criminal activities. This time in central Craigavon a man has been seriously injured, next time it could be a child killed."
